Here You go Dave

So are you happy now?

(Especially since you may be the only one reading this?)

Oh, and if you're not Dave-see this and scroll down.

Or see this.

Best and Worst of Slaves of Righteousness

I don't totally ignore when people tag me, but I ususally answer in the comments section. Sometimes I don't respond, because it doesn't fit in with why I blog. But anyway, that's about to end as I respond to the tag by Jeremy at Doxoblogy. He's posted Best and Worst of the Doxoblogist.


So here's my version.
My Worst Post: I'm not sure--possibly this one, where I mention the PCA General Asembly, but don't really mention the big issue at GA. It could one of the ones where I offer excuses why I haven't blogged for awhile. (Other than the ones after I was in the hospital.)
You decide.

My Best Post: While it only garnered 2 comments online (and my response to those comments), it was linked to by those who didn't comment. I also received comments on it in person from people who read it. It seemed to get a very positive response-I called it God's Providence - He is Good! It was based on my health crisis last fall, and how God figured into it--and He is good!

My Changed His Mind post: Hmm, tricky one--I did remove one post because I changed my mond the next day once I had new information. It didn't receive any comments. I don't remember what it was about though. If I do change my mind on anything, and have blogged about it--I will either edit that post or write a new one.

My most comments post: This post on Ephesians 2:1-7 received 40 comments. Most of them were not about the passage or the post, but rather a debate with an evolutionist. Others jumped in and helped.

Who do I tag with this? Anyone who reads this on at least a weekly basis. You know who you are...

Another Reason to Love Books

As if I needed another reason, now there's a report that states our literacy skills aren't set after school, but actually decline starting about age 25.

Literacy skills fall as we age.

Now it's only about one grades worth, but still that could make a difference. This part made me think I should be okay-"The reading people do at work helps, but not nearly as much as reading a variety of materials for pleasure at home."

Sounds like me.

I should stop though before it sounds like bragging, and I get prideful.

Let this be another encouragement and reason to read.


(And here's a related link-Literacy Statistics. Now go do some more reading.)

I Call That a Bargain

You don't see deals like this every day!

A Book by a Friend

The other night, Darrin Lauder, an old friend of mine phoned, and due to the oddities of voice mail we almost missed each other. He was calling to let me know he'd written a book, and it had been published. We talked for a while about the book, and what was going on in our lives. It was good to hear from him, and exciting to hear he had a book.
I've picked up a copy and after I've finished it I plan to review it on the blog.

The book is called "Spiritual Warfare & satan's schemes", and it's written as a devotional with 31 short chapters. I'm reading several chapters at a time, with some reflection on each of them. So far it looks good. It's not a "find a demon under every rock", or "talk to the demons" type book, but looks like straight forward biblical application.

There's information about the book on his church's website, (He's the pastor.) Go to the "Meet the Pastor" link on the left, and then to the link for the book. It's available on-line, and in some bookstores.

If you'd like to check it out I found it I found it for a wide range of prices here and here. (It's an 84 page book counting the Scripture Index--so the copies over $20 seem over-priced when you can get it for less.)

One thing about when I read books by people I've heard speak--I read the book with their voice in my head--with this book that was even more true, as I know the author better than any other author I've read. It was a little freaky in a way. I'll let you know how the book goes.

How to Stop Dispensationalists from Smoking

I wish I had a picture, but while out driving today I passed a gas station that seemed to have a strategy to stop Dispensationalists from smoking.

The price for a pack of cigarettes?
$6.66

Hmm, New Blogger

Well, after posting that last article Blogger must have timed out on me, and now I'm on new Blogger. Let's see how it goes.

It will probably take a while for me to check out the tags, template stuff, and everything else.

But so far, so good.

Slaves of Uprightness

The title above is part of what I got when I entered the French translation of my Blog (see below) into babelfish. (Yes I know it is not the most accurate way to translate.)

But the results were amusing.

The top of the "re-translated" blog now reads-

Slaves of uprightness (Romance 6:18)
A list of the reading recommended, bonds, thoughts random and comments of a reformed Christian prospect. And it is Canadian Westerner too.

I'm now a "reformed Christian prospect." Does that mean I could get traded?

Other results-
-I link to a blog called "Horsefly of Calvinist"
-In a book review it says-"Perhaps I should have another recommendation of book."
-I have a link to "RevGot of waxes of lenscleanse about the antidotes of materialism"
-A review of a Peter Jones book now reads-"He was once Peter Jones was invited by my gathering to present a series of talks on the new movement of age and the evangile."
-Oddly enough this last one makes sense-"But as Christian we must be portion of different."

My Blog in French

This was interesting.
While checking the stats on my visitors I saw one referral where my blog was translated into French.
I hope it made sense.

Esclaves de droiture

And in French I am "pélerin", not Pilgrim...

Ways I am not like Charles Haddon Spurgeon

It only seems fair, that if I listed ways I am like Charles Spurgeon I should also list ways I am not. None of these are to say I'm better than him. Spurgeon was a man whose ministry continues to be used by God.

-Spurgeon was British, I am Canadian.
-Spurgeon smoked cigars, I can't stand the smell of cigar smoke.
-Spurgeon became a Christian in his teens, I became one in my 20's.
-Spurgeon vacationed in France, I've never been to France.
-Spurgeon was a Baptist, I am a Presbyterian.
-Spurgeon's picture has been on magazine covers, as far as I know, mine has not.
-Spurgeon never flew in a 747, I have.
-Spurgeon never blogged, but I have, obviously.
-Spurgeon had a photographic memory, I forget where I read that.
-I have quoted Spurgeon, but as far as I know he never quoted me...

Ways I am like Charles Haddon Spurgeon

I am not suggesting I am his equal, just having some fun.
Other than being a sinner saved by Grace, and all that entails (Which is the most important one.)- here are some ways I am like Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

-We are both male.
-We share a love of books.
-We have both been in church buildings.
-We both have/had the ability to read & write in the English language of our day
-We both love the Puritans.
-We've both preached sermons (Although Spurgeon is way ahead of me if we count them)
-We both have archives of our writing on the internet (Mine is on the left & down. His is in the link above, and various other places.)
-We were both born on Earth.
-We both can grow a good beard.

Stuff in my Profile-Sports

Sports fall way below my interest in theology and history-especially on the importance scale--but I still like them--or some of them anyway.

Why?

I enjoy the strategy and the performance, the drama and the emotion.
They are a lot more real than so-called "Reality TV."

Yes most pro athletes are overpaid--some grossly. Many are spoiled brats. Ticket prices soar to ridiculous amounts in many leagues.

But--still some leagues have an intrigue that lures me to watch.

As for playing sports, well I'm not very athletic.
If I'm playing a sport most likely it's a computer game.
Which involves strategy again.

I find it interesting to follow along as the coaches and players play out the strategy with plans and counterplans. This is the main reason I don't find watching darts boring--there is a real strategy to the game.

My favorite sports to watch? Hockey & football.

Stuff in my profile-history

If you look back a bit you'll see the first installment where I blog on the stuff I've listed in my profile. Now it's time for history.

I am interested in history for a few reasons--among them is agreement with the warning that those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it.
This can be especially true in Church history. There are many errors and heresies that jsut keep getting recycled because we don't know out Church history.

I also enjoy the stories and the drama we find there.

I can enjoy a story that takes liberties with history depending on how it's done.
If it takes itself too seriously and goes way off base--that is distracting.
But if done for fun or as a fantasy story it can work.

But overall we need demarcation between what is intended as real history and what is not. The most annoying deviations from history for me are the ones where history is altered to make it more palatable today or to promote a contemporary issue. Leave it alone--tell a new story.

As long as history isn't presented as merely a list of dates and events I will probably be interested in it.

I've been found out...

Well, as a blogger.

In a previous post, and in a comment or two I noted I should tell my pastor about my blog.

Last Sunday at a Church picnic my Pastor's wife asked me point blank if I blogged. Well, as a Christian I'm not going to lie. Then my pastor asked if I was "Pilgrim."

Well that's what I get for commenting on his blog as Pilgrim, and linking to it.
(Plus we visit many of the same blogs, and I've left comments on them.)

Now I wasn't trying to hide anything, but I wanted to see how this blog thing would work before telling others.

Well I get way more visits than comments, but other bloggers say the same thing.
I'm not a regular blogger, but neither are a lot of bloggers I enjoy reading.
So how's it going?
Well enough I suppose, I get some very nice comments.
Although I will try to post more often.

Well enough about me, I think I'll go prepare a book review or something.
(And a list of others I should tell about this blog.)

Things in my Profile-Part 1-Theology

In a new series that I will post from time to time I will go through what I have listed in my profile, and hopefully explain why it's there, and what use or value it has. Partly in case you were wondering, and partly because they are things that interest me.

I'll start from the beginning-
The first thing I listed is under interests-Theology.

Why do I like theology?
1-If you love someone you want to know more about them-if you love God you should love theology. Yes, you can overdo it. You can get so involved in theology that you ignore God. You can forget to put theology into action. But let's not go too far and treat theology as a hindrance to loving God and serving Him--they should work hand in hand.
2-I love to read, and theology makes for interesting reading. It stimulates my mind, and it gives me things to think about-both wonderful and not so wonderful.
3-It can be corrective in my beliefs, actions, motives and thoughts. This helps me to better serve God and man. It is a protective against a danger mentioned in #1 above.
4-In the hands of a gifted author or speaker it can be exciting. Yes, exciting. Theology is the study of God, and by studying it I learn great things about God- things that excite me about His love, grace, forgiveness, etc.
5-It can drive me deeper into the Word. Why should I take an aithor or speaker's word for it--what does God's Word say?

I'm sure I could go on longer--but those are major reasons I enjoy theology.

Happy Canada Day!

Happy Canada Day!

LOTW-June 15, 2006

Many of you know of Dan Lietha from his one panel comic, After Eden on the Answers in Genesis site. I've posted some of them here before.
He also has his own site that includes Launch Pad, a more contemporary Christian comic. They use the same style and sense of humour as Afetr Eden.

The City of Saskatoon in the province of Saskatchewan has a page on the city website about pruning trees. For some this advice may be too late, but here it is.
Perhaps one day I'll do something on the pruning God does in reference to this link.
But then, I'm not an arbourist.

Stuff on blogs I've been reading

Just a quick round up of some good stuff-

Clint at Cowboylogy posts a translation on the Church Father Irenaeus
Irenaeus, Systematics and Spiritual Friendship

Daniel at Doulogos has this post asking, "Did The Law...
...produce righteousness in Christ?"

Guy at Exiled Preacher has some interesting points to consider in
PowerPoint and the death of preaching

RevGot of lenscleanse waxes about materialism antidotes
(The link is to the comments page as I didn't see a link to just the post--still you can read it there.)
RevGot & Dan of Spudfiles both review Sovereign Grace Music’s CD "Worship God - Live"-RevGot's is here, and Dan's is here.

While he has a lot of serious material, Kim Riddlebarger often has humour on his Riddleblog. Here's A fashion statement

The Catechizer at The Wittenberg Door has this excellent post on
Work.